Display belt hanger

ABSTRACT

An improved belt display hanger for supporting an apparel belt from the buckle end thereof in depending condition, capable of bearing price indicia thereon, which hanger cannot be removed from a supported belt without permanently destroying belt buckle engaging means, in such manner as to be readily detectable by sales personnel.

United States Patent [191 Smilow et al.

451 Jan. 16,1973

541 DISPLAY BEL'I' HAGER [75] lnvcntors: George Smilow, Yonkers; Samuel L.

Kayen, Elmont, both of N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Berger 8: Gorin, Inc., New York,

[22] Filed: Aug. 2, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 168,168

[52] U.S. Cl ..223/87 [51] Int. Cl. A47j 51/097 [58] Field of Search .223/85, 87; 2l 1/60, 13, 113, 211/119; 24/265 AL, 265 WS [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,940,647 6/1'960 cemem .223/85 3,3xs,4x6 5/1968 Fina" ..223/s7 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 16,38? /esfi Francc .223/87 Primary Examner-Jordan Franklin Assistant Examner-George H. Krizmanich Attorney-Charles E. Temko [571 ABSTRACT' An improved belt display hanger for supporting an vapparel belt from the buckle end thereof in depending condition, capable of bearing price indicia thereon, which hanger cannot bc removed from a supported belt without permanently destroying belt buckle engaging means, in such manner as to be readily detectable by sales personnel.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures DISPLAY BELT HANGER This invention relates generally to the field of aprparel display devices, and more particularly to an improved belt hanger adapted to support an apparel belt from the buckle end thereof in depending condition, in such manner that a plurality of such devices may be selectively engaged with a horizontally Supported rod, whereby a plurality of belts may be displayed in a given area, and selectively removed by a purchaser.

Devices of this general type are known in the art, and usually include provision, not only for engagement of the belt buckle, but for the displaying of appropriate indicia, such as size, price, the name of the manufacturer, and the like. In prior art devices, the belt is readily detachable from the hanger, and where belts of varying qualities and prices are displayed on a single hanger, it is possible for an unscrupulous purchaser to interchange the hangers prior to bringing the merchandse to a clerk `or a cashier, and thus in effect purchase a belt for a price substantially below that which was Originally placed upon the 'purchased article.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved display belt hanger of the class described, in which the above mentioned disadvantage has been substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved display belt hanger of the class described which, once engaged with a belt buckle cannot be readily removed without substantially damaging the hanger to a degree which will be readily noticed by sales personnel.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved belt hanger, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved display belt hanger which can be Conveniently engaged with a belt buckle to be displayed, using only ordinary skill.

A feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the fact that the belt buckle engaging means is so configured as to be readily engageable with a wide variety of shapes of prong type belt buckles, in such manner as to maintain the prong in coplanar relation with respect to the remaining parts of the buckle, thereby preventing entanglement of the same with other buckles displayed in juxtaposed positions.

These objects and feature, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, v similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. l is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, as seen from the right hand portion of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view thereof showing the same in engaged condition with a conventional prong type belt buckle, and a horizontally disposed supporting rod.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view as seen from the right hand portion of FIG. 4.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10 comprises a generally planar piece of resilient synthetic resinous material, which may be formed either by injection molding, or by stamping sheet synthetic resinous material. It is bounded by a continuous periferal edge 11 and, first and second planar surfaces 13 and 14, respectively. The configuration illustrated in the drawing is of somewhat omamental nature, and may be altered significantly without altering the function thereof, as may be required.

The device includes an upper identification tab 15, capable of bearing indicia as to size or price, which is interconnected to main body portion 16 through a short neck 17. The main body portion is provided with a curvilinear slot 18, the upper edge 19 of which is selectively engageable with a horizontally Supported rod 19 (see FIG. 5), whereby it will be maintained in such engagement by the action of gravity, but readily removed as required by a simple lifting motion. A raised rectangular surface 20 provides means for imprinting the indicia of the maker of the merchandise, or other suitable legend.

A lower neck 21 interconnects the main body portion 16 with an elongated belt-engaging element 22 having an upper end 23 defining a circular opening 24. A medial portion 25 includes a slotted opening 26 comprising a small angularly shaped opening 27, and transversely extending slots 28 and 29, and a vertical slot 30, this construction accommodating selectively buckle prongs of circular or planar' cross section. Side interconnecting portions 31 and 32 define a fold line interconnecting the upper end portion 23 with a lower end portion 33.

A laterally extending locking member 34 positioned at the lower end of the portion 33 includes a generally cylindrical shank 35, and a frusto-conical head or enlargment 36. The enlargement includes a conical surface disposed between a smaller diameter 37 and a larger diameter 38 which serves to resiliently cam the opening 24 to a larger effective diameter as the same is forcibly pushed through the opening. A planar surface 39 extends substantially perpendicular to the principal axis of the enlargement 36 to provide an abutment after the enlargement has passed through the opening.

Prior to such engagement, the element 22 is engaged with a conventional belt buckle 41 having a pivotally mounted prong 42 thereon in such manner that the prong is maintained in substantially coplanar relation with respect to the remaining parts of the buckle. This is accomplished by inserting the end of the prong 42 into the opening 27 after the lower end portion 33 has been inserted in the opening in the buckle. Where the prong is of planar cross section, it will also enter the transverse slots 28 and 29, and if of unusually large cross section, it will slightly distort all of the slots 28-30 inclusive. Y

It will be observed that since the length of the shank 35 closely corresponds to the depth of the opening 24, once the engagement has been completed, the surface 39 will normally overlie the planar surface 13 in relatively snug relation. Thus, in order to disengage the enlargement 36, it is necessary to again resiliently distort the opening 24 radially to a larger diameter, a feat which is not readily accomplished without physically tearing or cutting the area surrounding the opening 24. Once so damaged,` the device cannot again be reused, as its condition is readily apparent to even a casual examination which would normally take place when sales personnel examine the device to determine the price' of the article. Thus, it is not possible for an unscrupulous purchaser to remove a device from a relatively more expensive belt, and substitute one from a less expensive belt, which would have been damaged at the time of removal.

We wish it to be understood that we do not consider the invention limited to the specific details of structure shown and set forth in this specifcation, for obvious modifcations will occur to those skilled in the art to medially-positioned portion having a central opening including opposed horizontal slots and a vertical slot normal thereto, said slots opening into said central opening, portions of said medially-postioned portion between the sides thereof and the ends of the horizontal slots defining a fold line passing through said second-mentioned opening, and a foldable second elongated portion below said medially-positioned portion having a laterally extending projection thereon engageable with said opening in said frst portion; said projection including a shank portion corresponding in diameter andlength to the diameter and .depth of said first mentioned opening, and having on a free end of said shank an enlargement of diameter greater than that of said first-mentioned opening.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in said enlargement being of frusto-conical configuration, and having a planar surface perpendicular to the principal axis of said shank at the outer end thereof, whereby after said projection has passed said rst-mentioned openingby resiliently distorting the same to engage a belt buckle, it cannot be readily released without damaging said shank.

Il! 'll ll! 

1. A display belt hanger for use with a conventional apparel belt having a prong type buckle comprising: a unitary piece of synthetic resinous resilient material including a main body having hook means for engaging a supporting rod, and a depending buckle-engaging element connected to said main body for engaging said buckle; a belt buckle engaging element including a first elongated portion adjacent said main body having an opening therein extending through the plane thereof, a mediallypositioned portion having a central opening including opposed horizontal slots and a vertical slot normal thereto, said slots opening into said central opening, portions of said mediallypositioned portion between the sides thereof and the ends of the horizontal slots defining a fold line passing through said second-mentioned opening, and a foldable second elongated portion below said medially-positioned portion having a laterally extending projection thereon engageable with said opening in said first portion; said projection including a shank portion corresponding in diameter and length to the diameter and depth of said first mentioned opening, and having on a free end of said shank an enlargement of diameter greater than that of said firstmentioned opening.
 2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in said enlargement being of frusto-conical configuration, and having a planar surface perpendicular to the principal axis of said shank at the outer end thereof, whereby after said projection has passed said first-mentioned opening by resiliently distorting the same to engage a belt buckle, it cannot be readily released without damaging said shank. 